1 Peter 5: 8

"Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." ~ (1 Peter 5: 8)

 

 

Thank You Father, for warning us in Your word about the dangers of alcohol abuse. Please bring healing, deliverance, and restoration to the lives and families that this plague upon our society has brought, through Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hosea 4: 11

"Harlotry, wine, and new wine take away understanding." ~ (Hosea 4: 11)

May the Son shine upon you today, family. Amen.

Galatians 5: 21

"Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; I warn you that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." ~ (Galatians 5: 21)

 

 

 

"If you know someone who tries to drown their sorrows, you might tell them sorrows know how to swim." ~ H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Ephesians 5: 18

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit."

~ (Ephesians 5: 18)

 

 

 

Our Lord Jesus bless you. Amen.

Isaiah 5: 22 ALCOHOL

"What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine and boast about all the alcohol they can hold." ~ (Isaiah 5: 22)

 

 

 

ALCOHOL - a colorless volatile flammable liquid that is produced by the natural fermentation of sugars and is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks; also an industrial solvent and fuel.

Proverbs 20: 1

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise."

~ (Proverbs 20: 1)

 

 

Lord, help those we know who are lost to alcohol. Help them to stop harming themselves and others. May they find healing and connection to You, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Romans 14: 12

"So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God." ~ (Romans 14: 12)

 

Lord, realizing that Your gift of salvation excludes no one except to believe in Your Son, may we recognize that we are held accountable to grow in the grace and knowledge You've given us. Amen.

Trust!

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s concern for His people has been seen in the midst of their weakness and desperation. We can see that He has constantly been the source of strength His people were so desperately in need of. This is still true today. God desires to be our sole source of strength. He has proven to be dependable. He desires that we place our complete trust in His abilities to deal with our circumstances. Here are a few verses that I believe demonstrate the confidence His people have in Him.

Neh. 8:10 “Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Ps. 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Ps. 119:28 “My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word.”

Is. 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.”

"WILL YOU PLACE YOUR TRUST IN JESUS TODAY?"

Matthew 25: 21

"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's joy." ~ (Matthew 25: 21)

Have a blessed day, family. Amen.

Humility!

Proverbs 22:4

"Humility is the fear of the Lord;

its wages are riches and honor and life."

"HUMILITY WILL ALLOWS FOR AN AUDIENCE WITH THE KING OF KINGS!"

"THEREFORE, LET US HUMBLE OURSELVES IN THE TOUGHEST OF MOMENTS!"

"HE WILL RISE UP ON OUR BEHALF!!!"

James 3: 1

"Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment." ~ (James 3: 1)

 

 

 

"When it comes to privacy and accountability, people always demand the former for themselves and the latter for everyone else." ~ David Brin

Matthew 12: 36

"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment." ~ (Matthew 12: 36)

 

 

 

Praise be to God. Amen.

Deuteronomy 18: 19 ACCOUNTABLE

"I will hold accountable whoever does not listen to My words that he speaks in My name." ~ (Deuteronomy 18: 19)

 

 

 

ACCOUNTABLE - 1. required to explain actions or decisions to someone. 2. required to be responsible for something.

Call on His Name!!!

Proverbs 18:10

"The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;

The righteous run to it and are safe."

"JESUS!!!"

Luke 17: 3

"So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them." ~ (Luke 17: 3)

 

 

 

Father, help each of us to be willing to learn and also recognize the need to be accountable to each other as well as to You, as we seek growth in Your word. Amen

Proverbs 18: 13

"To answer before listening - that is folly and shame." ~ (Proverbs 18: 13)

 

 

You've given us two ears and one mouth, and this is not by accident. May we do twice as much listening as we do speaking, with the Holy Spirit as our guide in both. Amen.

Acts 15: 13

"Then Paul stood up and motioned with his hand and said, 'Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen!" ~ (Acts 15: 13)

Help us to listen with our hearts as well as our ears. Amen.

Rather Than!

Proverbs 15:16

"Better a little with the fear of the Lord

Than great wealth with turmoil."

"LET US SEEK RELATIONSHIP MORE THAN FANCY THINGS!"

"LET US DESIRE INTIMACY RATHER THAN INDULGENCES!"

"LET US BOW BEFORE HIS MAJESTY INSTEAD OF SURRENDERING TO VANITY!"

"IT IS BETTER TO HAVE AN EMPTY HOUSE WHERE JESUS IS WELCOME THAN A HOUSE FULL OF WORLDLY PLEASURES & THE ABSENCE OF JESUS!"

"JESUS CAME TO GIVE US LIFE!"

"HE CAME SO THAT WE MAY HAVE LIFE IN ABUNDANCE!"

"WE DO NOT HAVE TO CHASE AFTER WORLDLY POSSESSIONS!"

"WHATEVER GOD HAS DETERMINED TO GIVE US WILL ULTIMATELY COME OUR WAY!"

"BUT WE MUST CHOOSE TO FEAR THE LORD!"

"WE MUST CHOOSE TO MAKE HIM OUR MAIN PRIORITY!"

"WEALTH & RICHES FAIL!"

"THEY DWINDLE AWAY!"

"THEY ARE SPENT UP & WASTED!"

"BUT ULTIMATELY THEY WILL NOT SATISFY THE EMPTINESS WITHIN!"

"ONLY JESUS CAN DO THAT!"

"ONLY A HEALTHY REVERENCE OF JESUS WILL CONTINUOUSLY FILL THAT VOID IN OUR LIFE!"

"JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN COMPLETE US!"

John 8: 47

"The one who is from God listens to God's words. This is why you don't listen, because you are not from God." ~ (John 8: 47)

"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply." ~ Steven Covey

Matthew 11: 15

"Anyone who has ears should listen!" ~ (Matthew 11: 15)

 

 

 

"There's a lot of difference between listening and hearing." ~ G. K. Chesterton

Deuteronomy 5: 26 LISTEN

"Go near and listen to everything the LORD our God says. Then you can tell us everything the LORD our God tells you; we will listen and obey." ~ (Deuteronomy 5: 26)

 

 

 

LISTEN - 1. to pay attention to sound. 2. to hear something: give consideration.

HELP US, LORD!

Ephesians 4:1-3

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

"LORD, MAY YOUR SPIRIT KEEP US FROM EVER SMEARING YOUR REFLECTION TO THE WORLD!"

"MAY OUR LIVE'S BE A CLEAR REPRESENTATION OF WHO YOU ARE & WHAT YOU ARE ACTIVELY DOING IN US!"

"MAY WE NEVER PRETEND TO BE OK, WHEN THINGS ARE NOT!"

"MAY WE ALLOW THE WORLD TO SEE YOUR TRUE POWER WORKING IN & THROUGH US IN OUR WEAKEST MOMENTS!"

"LORD, MAY WE DARE TO BE YOUR SERVANTS!"

"MAY WE NEVER TRY TO BE ANYTHING ELSE!"

"MAY WE NEVER TRY TO SERVE YOU OUR WAY!"

"MAY YOUR CONDITIONS OF SERVANTHOOD BE THE STANDARDS WE OBSERVE!"

"MAY WE NOT BE SWAYED BY POPULAR DEMAND!"

"LORD, MAY WE DARE BE YOUR SERVANTS!"

"LORD, THIS IS YOUR DAY, HELP US TO SERVE YOU!"

James 1: 19

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." ~ (James 1: 19)

 

 

 

Lord, help us to live out the words of this verse; to be more engaged and attentive listeners, and to hear what people are meaning to say, not our own interpretation of it. Amen.

Luke 15: 22

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet." ~ (Luke 15: 22)

 

 

 

Lord, reveal areas in our lives where we've been holding back. Reveal to us where we've not given You our best effort, as You have given to us. Amen.

Colossians 3: 23

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
~ (Colossians 3: 23)

Best wishes for a great day, family. Amen.

Clean up your mess!

If the house is messy, this is usually a sign of imbalance.

Somewhere along the way we have allowed too much of one thing & neglected the other.

The same is true for our body's, which is the temple of God.

God desires to dwell with us.

He has chosen to make our house, His home.

But He is not comfortable with a messy home.

Therefore when He enters, He immediately begins the cleansing process.

He makes it suitable for visitation.

He makes it new.

We enjoy & welcome the change.

We embrace it wholeheartedly.

But after a while, life continues & the memory of what God did for us begins to get pushed back further & further as our days get filled with so many things.

Life gets busy & unknowingly, God's new home becomes a hot mess.

Then, one day, we take a break & look around.

We are startled at what we see.

"OUR MESS HAS BLOCKED OUR PATHWAY TO GOD!"

"OUR HOUSE, WHICH IS GOD'S HOME, HAS BECOME AN OBSTACLE COURSE!"

"THE VERY ONE WE HAD INVITED IN TO DWELL WITH US, WE EVENTUALLY BARRICADED IN A ROOM!"

"WE NO LONGER ENJOYED OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH HIM!"

"BUT SHOUTS ECHOED THROUGH THE HALLS AS WE TRIED TO REACH HIS ROOM"

That's when we realized that;

"IT'S TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE!"

"IT'S TIME TO REMOVE THOSE OBSTACLES!"

"IT'S TIME TO DESTROY THE BARRICADES!"

"WE NEED TO GET BACK TO OUR FIRST LOVE!"

"WE NEED TO MAKE JESUS THE MAIN THING ONCE AGAIN!"

"LET'S GO HOME & CLEAN GOD'S HOUSE TODAY!"

"EVERYTHING ELSE CAN WAIT!"

2 Timothy 2: 15

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed." ~ (2 Timothy 2: 15)

 

 

 

"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems." ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Genesis 4: 4

"And Abel also presented an offering - some of the best of his flock. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering." ~ (Genesis 4: 4)

 

 

 

May our offering to You be held in regard, as Abel's was. Amen.

Numbers 18: 29 BEST

"You must present the entire offering due the LORD from all your gifts. The best part of the tenth is to be consecrated." ~ (Numbers 18: 29)

 

BEST - of the most excellent, effective, or desirable type or quality.

TYJ

Psalm 127:1

"Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain."

IF OUR MOTIVE IS NOT TO ADVANCE GOD'S KINGDOM,

OUR LABOR WILL FAIL,

IT WILL CEASE TO EXIST,

IT WILL GO THE WAY OF ALL THE EARTH!

IN ORDER FOR OUR EFFORTS TO HAVE ANY LASTING VALUE,

THEY MUST BE ROOTED IN CHRIST JESUS!

THEN & ONLY THEN WILL VICTORY & SUCCESS BE OUR'S!

OUR PURPOSE,

OUR MEANING,

OUR REASON FOR EXISTENCE ARE FOUND IN CHRIST!

WE ARE WISE TO RECOGNIZE OUR SOURCE OF STRENGTH!

WE ARE EVEN WISER TO OPERATE WITHIN THOSE LIMITS!

WITH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

THEREFORE, WALK WITH THE LIMITLESS GOD!

PRAISE YOU, JESUS!

Enjoy your day, Family!

Malachi 1: 8

"When you present a blind animal for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present a lame or sick, is it not wrong? Bring it to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?" ~ (Malachi 1: 8)

Just like any good father, You expect the best from Your children.

 

.... Have we been giving it to You? Amen.

Psalm 118: 8

"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man." ~ (Psalm 118: 8)

Father, You never disappoint. With You we can face any trail. Let our pathway be clear so as to overcome any disappointment thrown our way, just as Jesus overcame this world. Amen.

Jeremiah 17: 5

"This is what the Lord says; 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord." ~ (Jeremiah 17: 5)

Praise be to God! A blessed New Years Day to you. Amen.

Expectations!

Isaiah 43:1

"But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!"

As Christians, our live's are in God's hands.

He has promised to help us weather the storm.

He will do His part.

But we must also do our's in faith.

During the course of the next year;

"THE WAY WE DEAL WITH OUR CIRCUMSTANCES WILL DECLARE GOD'S GLORY TO A LOST & DYING WORLD OR DEMONSTRATE OUR LACK OF FAITH IN HIS SOVEREIGNTY TO THE SAME!"

The Holy Spirit has come to empower us for service.

But this service can only be beneficial in it's proper environment.

Therefore, we must create & maintain an atmosphere that is suitable for God's Presence.

"HOLINESS!"

We must strive to accomplish our God-Given purpose.

Not by human means, but through Godly direction.

We must assess & evaluate our live's daily & honestly.

"ARE WE LIVING ACCORDING TO GOD'S PLAN FOR US?"

This will help us remove anything that is or is becoming a hinderance.

Our primary goal is to protect, at all costs, our relationship with God.

The Holy Spirit has come to empower us to do so.

Question of the Day:

"DO MY ACTIONS MEET GOD'S EXPECTATIONS?"

We should never focus our energies on anything less!

It's all about Jesus in this New Year!

Philippians 3:13-14

"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

"IN THIS NEW YEAR, LET US REACH FOR HIGHER GROUNDS!"

"LET US REACH TO THE HEAVENS!"

"LET US BECOME MORE LIKE CHRIST!"

There is a saying:

"UNSATISFIED SATISFACTION!"

Let us desire the deeper levels of Christian living.

Let us pursue;

"HOLINESS!"

"COMMITMENT!"

"PURITY OF LIFE!"

"INTEGRITY!"

"DISCIPLESHIP!"

"DEVOTION TO CHRIST!"

"PRAYER!"

"LET US NOT BECOME COMPLACENT IN THIS NEW YEAR!"

"BUT LET US ALLOW THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF CHRIST BE OUR DRIVING FORCE!"

This year, I want to challenge us all;

"LET US LIVE UNSATISFIED WITH SATISFACTION UNTIL SATISFACTION IS DONE AWAY WITH!"

"LET US HUNGER & THIRST FOR JESUS LIKE NEVER BEFORE!"

JESUS, we dedicate this new year to You!

"YOUR WILL BE DONE HERE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!"